Transducer



July 11, 1950 c. H; LANPHIER 2,515,154

TRANSDUCER Filed July l5, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet l July ll, 1950 c. H. LANPHIER 2,515,154

TRANSDUCER t Filed July 15, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July11, 195o Filed July 15, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 11, 1950 c. H. LANPHIER 2,51554 TRANSDUCER y Filed July 15, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

July 1l, 1950 c. H. LANPHIER TRANSDUCER Filed July l5, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 WMV Sangamo corporation of Illinois Application July l5, 1946. Serial No. 683.695

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved transducer oi the magnetostrictive type for transmitting and receiving compressional wave energy. i. e., for converting electrical energy into compressional wave energy and for converting compressional wave energy into electrical energy. These transducers are particularly adapted to underwater use in sending and receiving supersonic wave energy for establishing the location of underwater targets. A complete sound echo ranging system for underwater use is disclosed in copending application Serial No. 549,460, illed August 14, 1944. 'I'he improved transducer of the present application is intended primarily for use in an underwater sound echo ranging system oi the type disclosed in that copending application.

The general object of the present invention is to improve upon the structural features and also upon the method of assembling the group of magnetostrictive elements into the completed trans- Electric Company. Springfield. Ill., a

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the core structures of the masnetostrictive elements;

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse view through one of the magnetostrictive elements; and

Figure l0 is a plan view of a magnetost'rictive element in its complete form.

The transducer, shown in its entirety in Figure l, is adapted to project down into the water from stationary cylindrical supportingv casting 22 ducer so as to produce a transducer which will be s Figure 2 is a vertical axial sectional view through the assembled transducer;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken transversely through the central supporting shell before the assembly of any magnetostrictive elements thereon;

Figure 4 is a plan view of one of the locking rings adapted to be assembled over the central supporting shell;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view of one of the locking keys of the locking ring shown on a larger scale;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on diii'erent horizontal planes throughl the assembled transducer showing one of the locking rings and showing some of the magnetostrictive elements in plan and in horizontal section;

Figure 'l is a side elevational view of one of the around the outside of which all of the magnetostrictive elements 23 are mounted in radially extending relation. v The supporting casting or shell 22 is preferably composed of a non-magnetic stainless steel. As shown in Figure 2, an internal web or flange 26 is formed within the lower part of the shell for supporting a. watertight sealing gland 25 through which a multiple conductor cable passes upwardly through the shell, as I shall later describe. A removable end flange 21 is secured to the lower end of the cylindrical shell 22 o by cap screws 28 threading up into tapped bores 29 in the lower end of the shell. this end flange preferably being composed of a non-magnetic stainless steel. Secured to the under side of this removable bottom flange 21 is a fiat ring of insulating material 3l on which are mounted the terminal connections 32 and 33 for establishing electrical connections with the vertical banks or columns oi magnetostrictive elements 23. Closing the entire bottom of the transducer unit is a removable end head 35 which is secured to the removable end ange'zl by cap screws 88, this end head also preferably being composed of a, nonmagnetic stainless steel. A suitable water-tight sealing gland 31 is effective between the end flange 2l and end head 35 for preventing the entrance of sea water into the enclosed space 38 in which the connector terminals 32 and 33 are disposed. A cylindrical rubber boot 60 is clamped over the upper mounting flange 2| and over the -masnetostrictive elements in its complete form; lower end flange 21 by clamping bands 50 for sealing the cylindrical exterior of the transducer from the sea water. As best shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical outer surface of the supporting shell 22 is formed with two diametrically opposite vertically extending key-ways or key slots 38 .for holding the locking rings of the assembly shown, there are 48 of these magnetostrictive elements 28 disposed in each horizontal row around the circumference of the supporting shell 22, and

- there are four such rows from top to bottom of the shell, making 192 of these elements carried around the outside of the shell. Each horizontal row of magnetostrictive Ielements is spaced from adjacent rows by disc-like locking rings 4| which have non-rotative keyed connection with the keyways I8 in the shell 22 and which have locking association with the magnetostrictive elements, whereby these elements are held against rotative movement relatively to the stationary shell and bottom locking projections -extending therefrom which t into the locking notches 41 and locking apertures 48, aswill presently appear.

Referring now to the detailed construction of each of the magnetostrictive elementsl 23, it will be seen from Figure 8 that each unit comprises a magnetic core structure made up of a stack of U-shaped orV hairpin-shaped annealed nickel laminations I2. These laminations are cycle welded or otherwise bonded together to form a single structure of sufficient mechanical strength to meet the requirements of handling and service, yet free enough for high acoustical emciency.

In the preferred method of Joining the laminations together, the bonding is largely restricted to the peripheral edges of each lamination, which provides the necessary mechanical strength but still avoids strains or modes of vibration detrimental to acoustical efficiency. As shown in Figure 8, each U-shaped lamination 52 comprises a against outward displacement from the shell, and

whereby the elements are also indexed vertically in the shell so that the successive vertically spaced magnetostrictive elements are accurately aligned in vertical tiers or columns. These locking rings 4| are also preferably composed of a non-magnetic stainless steel. As shown in Figure 4, each ring 4| has a large central opening 42 which can pass directly over the outer cylindrical surface of the supporting she1l,22. At diametrically opposite points, each ring 4| is provided with keys 43 which project inwardly into the opening 42 for sliding reception within the dlametrically opposite vertical key-ways 39 formed in the outer surface of the supporting shell 22. Thus, each locking ring 4| is keyed against rotative movement relatively to the supporting shell but can slide lengthwise of the shell. Referring particularly to Figure 5,the keys 43 are preferably constructed as separate stampings which are staked to the locking ring 4|. To this end, circular openings 44 are punched in the ring 4| at diametrically opposite points, each of these circular openings connecting with the large central opening 42 through a tapering opening 45. Each key 43 is formed with a corresponding circular portion 44' and a corresponding tapered portion 4l' which t within these openings 44 and 4I. The circular portion 44 may have a notched periphery. After the key stamping has been properly assembled in these openings 44 and 45, it is staked in place by punching or staking operations performed on the surrounding metal of lthelocking ring 4| at spaced points around the circular opening 44, such as in the notches of portion 44', these staked points being indicated at 4l.

Each locking ring 4| locks a horizontal circular row of 48 magnetostrictive elements 28 at 48 stations around the circumference of the stationary supporting shell 22. Each or these 48 stations is deiined by an outer locking notch 41,

`an intermediate locking aperture 4l, and an inner conductor notch 49, these three being substantially in radial alignment at each of the 48 stations, as clearly shown in Figure 4. Each of the magnetostrictive elements 23 has top and closed end 52a and substantially parallel side legs comprising relatively narrow leg portions 52h and relatively wide leg portions 52e. The radially disposed mounting of the series of magnetostrictive elements around the axis of the supporting shell 22 disposes each of the closed ends 52a outermost, the inward and outward motion of this closed end 52a either being caused electrically for transmitting compressional wave energy to the surrounding water, or being caused by compressional wave energy transmitted back from the water to generate an electrical signal in the magnetostrictive element. Permanent magnets 53 are inserted into the spaces 54 between the relatively wide portions 52e of the side legs,-there preferably being two of these permanent magnets in each space 54, but it will be understood that a greater or lesser nu'mber may be employed if desired. 'I'hese permanent magnets are preferably in the form of special oxide slabs. Permanent magnet material sold under the trade names of Alnico, Cunico or Vectolite may be used. These permanent magnets serve to provide the necessary polarizing magnetomotive force for maintaining the nickel laminations 52 at the proper degree of polarized magnetization. In order to minimize or prevent the leakage of ilux from one magnetostrictive unit to the next adjacent units around the circle, the permanently magnetized polarities of the wide leg portions 520 occur in alternating or reversing sequence from one magnetostrictive unit to the next. That is to say, as clearly shown in Figure 8, a north pole in one leg of one unit will always .be adjacent to a north pole in the adjacent leg of the next adjacent unit, and a south pole in one leg of one unit will always be adjacent to a south pole in the adjacent leg of the adjacent unit. Thus, the proximate relationship of like poles between adjacent umts will prevent or minimize flux leakage between units. All of the magnetostrictive units are therefore coded in pairs, i. e., those having their north pole in the left hand leg of the U have all its north poles in the right hand leg or in the left hand leg correspondingly down through the series. The adjacent vertical columns to each side of this nrst mentioned column are then reversely coded so that their north poles will be in the opposite legs to the legs of said irst mentioned column.

Separate windings 51 are wound on each of the relatively narrow leg portions b2b oi' the core structure. As shown in Figure 9, the windings are spaced from contact with the laminations by a thin sheet be of insulating material, such as neoprene rubber strip, wrapped about each reduced leg portion 52h and cemented together at the ends. The winding operation is started Von one leg of the core structure and is made continuous so that in the end an equal number of turns are applied to each leg, beginning at one end of the stack or unit and finishing at the other. Each winding is then covered with an overlapping layer 8s oi insulating material, such as varnished cambric tape cemented into place. In the operation of these magnetostrictive elements 23, the permanent magnets E3 establish a polarizing .iux which maintains a constant iux polarity in the .core structure 5l. When the windings 5l are energized by an alternating current, pulsating current or the like, they induce a magnetic ileld which is superimposed upon the polarizing magnetic field, with the result that the magnetostrictive material in the core structure 5i alternately expands and contracts with the alternations or pulsations in the varying current source traversing the coils. The alternating expansion and contraction of the magnetostrictive material occurs primarily in the radial dimension of the core structure, substantially parallel to the path 0i' ux iiow therethrough, and this alternating expansion and contraction is transmitted to the closed outer end portion 52d of the core structure for imparting compressional wave energy to the surrounding sea water. In the case of compressional wave energy transmitted from the sea water back to the closed end 52a of the core structure, the above cycle is reversed. That is tosay, the alternating expansion and contraction of the core structure is then induced therein mechanically from the outside compressione] wave energy, and this alternating expansion and contraction of the core structure induces a corresponding alternating or pulsating current flow in the coils 5l. The

operating theory of the magnetostrictive units,

particularly when employed in conjunction with a complete underwater sound detection system, is fully disclosed in the aforementioned copending application oi' Oscar H. Schuck and Leon G. S.

y Wood, Serial No. 549,460. Magnetostrictive elements having the same general principle of operation are also disclosed in Patent No. 2,391,678, is-

netostrictive unit, and also to the outer and inner ends thereof. For example, av strip 6I of sponge rubber is cemented across the top of each unit to cover the area of the relatively wide leg portions 52e and the intervening permanent magnets 53.

At a point outwardly beyond the windings 57, another relatively narrow strip of sponge rubber el' is cemented to extend acrs the top of the closed'end portion 52a of the core structure. This same practice is followed at the bottom of the unit; a strip 62 being cemented to cover the wide leg portions 52e and magnet slot 56, and a narrow strip $2' being cemented across the bottom of the closed end portion 52a of the core structure.- Another strip 53 of' this sponge rubber is cemented to the inner face of the unit assembly, this` strip covering the inner-ends of the core legs and extending across the slot et in which the permanent magnets are disposed. As best shown in Figure l0, a vertically extending channel-shaped groove 6s extends downwardly in the exposed side of this cushion strip 63 for receiving an electrical con- A ductor connecting with the `lower end of the vertical column of magnetostrictive units, as will be later described. The above described cushioning strips are preferably composed of Corprene. The outer face of the unit extending vertically downwardly across the outer side ofthe closed end portion 52a is also faced with a rubber facing 55 cemented to the core structure. This outer rubber facing is preferably composed of rhoCrubber. Acoustical contact with the sea water is established through this rubber facing te and through the cylindrical rubber boot d0 which completely surrounds the assembly of magnetostrictive units.

Referring now to the manner of anchoring or locking each of these magnetostrictive units between upper and lower locking rings di, it will be seen that each unit has an end plate or locking cap 61 cemented to the upper cushioning strips Si and 6I', and also has a similar end plate or locking cap 6'! cemented to the lower cushioning strips 62 and 82'. These two locking caps are preferably composed of Bakelite or some similar material, and they may be identical, if desired. Projecting vertically from the outer portion of each of these end plates or caps el is a U-shaped locking lug 89 which is adapted to ilt snugly into the associated U-shaped locking slot M of the adjacent locking ring di. Also projecting from the outer surface of each end plate or locking cap 67 is a circularlocking lug 1I which is adapted to have relatively snug it in the circular locking aperture d8 of the adjacent locking ring di. Thus, these projections or lugs 69 and 'H serve as locating or registration devices by means of which each magnetostrictive unit is held in its properly located radially extending relation between the locking rings di. In each of the U- shaped locking lugs 69 at top and bottom of the unit there is provided a relatively large opening or hole 'i2 extending through the body of the locking cap for enablingv the terminal conductors b1' of the coils 5l to be electrically connected with corresponding terminal conductors of upper and lower magnetostrictive units. These conductors 5l are adapted to be soldered to the corresponding conductors of'upper and lower units, and then pushed or tucked' back into the enlarged openings 12 in the locking caps 61, whereby all of the coils of the four magnetostrictive elements in each vertical column are connected in series down through the column. This soldering operation is performed after all of the magnetostrictive elements are in theirassembled positions around the supporting shell 22;

Referring now to the preferred manner of assembling all of the Darts for producing thevcomplete transducer shown in Figure 1, the supporting shell 22 is nrst up-endeduand placed in in' 36 are not in place on the shell 22, whereby 'the free end of the shell is ready to have the locking rings 4| slipped down over it. An insulating ring or washer 16, composed oi'v Cox'prene or other suitable insulating materiaLis rst slipped down over the shell 22 so as to lie in contact with the end ange 2 I. A series of 46 insulated conducting wires-16 is now assembled around the shell, there being one of these conductors 16 for each of the 48 vertical columns of magnetostrictive units. One end of each of these conductors is extended out across the insulating disc 16 in position for making electrical contact with one end of each of these columns oi' magnetostrictive units. A series of 48 end plates 61', somewhat similar to the construction shown at 61 in Figures 'l and 10, are now assembled in radially extending relation around the supporting shell 22, these end plates 61" having channels through which the conductors 16 may pass from each element 23 down through the openings 64 and 46 to the connection plate 3|, as shown. A locking ring 4| is now slipped down over the supporting shell 22, with its keys 43 engaging in the key-ways 36 of the shell. and with its locking slots and locking openings 41 and 46 engaging over the locking projections 66 and 1| of the end plates 61'. The next step in the assembly operation is to position the ilrst circular row of magnetostrictive elements 23 upon the upper face of this ilrst locking ring 4|. In placing these 48 elements in their proper stations or locations on this ilrst locking ring, the U-shaped locking lugs 69 of the end plates 61 are placed in registration with the U-shaped locking notches 41 of the ring 4|, and the circular locking lugs 1| are dropped down into the circular` locking holes 46 of the ring. Thus. all 48 magnetostrictive elements of this' ilrst circular. row

8 elements. Following this. the third locking ring 4l is assembled down over the second row of mas'- netostrictive elements, and this same operation is repeated until all four rows of masnetostrictive elements have been assembled around the shell 22 in the relation shown in Figure 2. The last or nfth locking ring 4| is then assembled over the last row of magnetostrictive elements. and upon this last locking ring is assembled a ring of end plates 61' and another insulating washer 16, whereby to form channels through which outer terminal conductors 11 may be extended from each of the magnetostrictive elements of the fourth or last row. These insulated conducting wires 11 are adapted to extend through holes 16 in the removable end ange 21 for connection with ythe associated outer terminal clips 33 mounted on the insulating terminal ring 3|. The

1` inner terminal conductors 16 leading from the other end of each tier oi! magnetostrictive units are also passed through holes 16in the removable end ilange 21 for connection with the inner terminal clips 32. Ai'ter the conductors 16 and 11 have been threaded through the holes 13 and 19, this removable end ange 21 can be bolted to the end of the supporting shell 22 through the medium of the cap screws 26 for securing the entire assembly of magnetostrictive elements and locking rings in place upon the supporting shell 22. 'Ihe four magnetostrictive elements in each vertical column constitute what may be termed a stave, there being 46 of these staves around the entire transducer assembly. It will be seen from the foregoing vassembly operations that the four are properly indexed with respect to the axially a extending key-ways 36 of the stationary supporting shell 22. Thereupon, another locking ring 4| is slipped down over the shell 22 with its locking keys 43 engaging in the keyways 36. The U- shaped locking notches 41 and the circular locking holes 46 of this second ring are brought down overv the locking lugs 66 and 1| projecting from the end plates 61 of this nrst row o! magnetostrictive elements, whereby this ilrst row is thus locked in place between these two spaced locking rings 4|. As w`ill be seen from Figure 2 of the drawings, the sectional depth of the locking slots 41 and holes 46 in the locking rings 4| is substantially twice the height of the lugs 63 and 1| so as to accommodate the lugs of upper and lower rows of magnetostrictive elements. In these operations of assembling the magnetostrictive elements and the locking rings, the vertically extending inner terminal conductors 16 provided for each vertical column or tier of magnetostrictive elements remain pressed against the supportlng shell 22, and as each masnetostrictive element is assembled in place. its notch 64 is placed in registry over the corresponding conductor 16, and as each locking ring 4| is assembled in place its inner notches 49 receive the series of conductors 16 in distributed relation around the supporting shell. A second row or magnetostrictive elements 23 is nowyassembled upon the upper face of the second locking ring 4| in the same manner described above of the first row oi.' magnetostrictive magnetostrictive elements in each of these staves are connected in series, there being an inner terminal conductor 16 connected to an end magnetostrictive element at one end of the stave, and an outer terminal conductor 11 connected to an end magnetostrictive element at the other end of sulating end plates 61. such openings giving ample electrical insulation to these soldered termi- The 48 columns or staves are now connected with their appropriate conductors leading up through the large cable 6| shown in Figure 2, such cable conductors being soldered or otherwise secured to the terminal clips 32 and 33 for cach column or stave of magnetostrictive elements. As shown in Figure 2, the sheath of this cable is sealed within the sealing gland 26 by the action of a gland nut 62 and compressible gland packing 33. The gland sleeve 26 is detachably secured to the internal web 24 by cap screws 84, a watertight sealing ring 36 .being interposed between the gland sleeve 26 and the web 24.

After all of .the connections have been made with the conductors in the cable 6 I the removable end head 36 can then be placed .in position over the end of the entire assembly and secured in place by they cap screws 36. 'I'he outer rubber boot 40 is now applied over the entire circumferential assembly of magnetostrictive units, the upper end of this boot being clamped to the upper mounting ilange 2| by an upper,clamping band I0, and the lower end oi' the boot being clamped to the removable bottom flange 21 by a similar lower clamping band 50. The complete transducer unit is now ready for attachment to the hull of a ship through the studs 20.

The electrical connections from the transducer staves lead through the cable '8| to a capacitative commutatorwhich is referred to briefly in the copending application oi' Schuck and Wood above referred to, and one particular embodiment of which I have disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 683,694, illed July 15, 1946, on Capacitative Commutator.

While I have illustrated and described what I regard to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, nevertheless it will be understood that such is merely exemplary and that numerous modiiications and rearrangements may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a transducer of the class described, the combination of a central supporting shell, a plurality of horizontal rows of magnetostrictive elements arranged circularly around said shell, locking rings engaging over said shell above and below each row of magnetostrictive elements, each of said locking rings having locking aperturesv therein at angularly spaced points, locking lugs projecting from each of said magnetostrictive elements engaging in said locking apertures, and electrical terminal connections for the coils on each magnetostrictive element projecting outwardly through said locking lugs for effecting electrical connection between adjacent magnetostrictive elements.

2. In a transducer of the class described, the combination of a central supporting shell, la plurality of horizontal rows of magnetostrictive elements arranged circularly around said shell, each oi said magnetostrictive elements comprising an independent U-shaped core disposed substantially radially of said shell with the closed end of the core facing outwardly, a permanent magnet between the side legs of each core, windings on said side legs between the permanent magnet and the closed end of the core; locking rings engaging over said shell above and below each row of magnetostrictive elements, each of said locking rings having locking apertures therein at angularly spaced points, locking lugs projecting from each oi said magnetostrictive elements engaging in said locking apertures, and electrical terminal connections for the windings on each magnetostrictive element projecting outwardly through said locking lugs for effecting electric-al connection between adjacent magnetostrictive elements.

3. In a transducer of the class described, the combination of a central supporting shell, a plurality oi circular locking rings assembled over said shell in longitudinally spaced relation thereon, keying means for preventing rotative movement between said rings and said shell, said rings having outer locking notches in their outer peripheries Kand also having inner locking apertures between their outer and inner peripheries, rows of magnetostrictive elements assembled circularly around said shell between adjacent pairs of locking rings, the vertically spaced magnetostrictive elements of adjacent rows being aligned in vertical columns, outer locking lugs projecting upwardly and downwardly from the top and bottom respectively of each magnetostrictive element engaging in said outer locking notches of the locking rings disposed above 'and below said magnetostrictive element, inner locking lugs projecting upwardly and downwardly from the top and bottom respectively of each magnetostrictive element engaging in said inner locking apertures of the locking rings disposed above and below said magnetostrictive element, each oi said magnetostrictive elements comprisinga coil, land electrical connections joining the coils of all of the magnetostrictive elements in each vertical column, said' l combination of a central supporting shell, a plurality of circular lockingl rings. assembled over said shell in longitudinally spaced rel-ation, keying means for preventing rotative movement between said rings and said shell, said rings having pairs of outer locking openings and inner locking openings in angularly spaced relation around said rings, rows of magnetostrictive elements assembled circularly around said shell between adjacent pairs oi locking rings, the vertically spaced magnetostrlctive elements of adjacent rows being aligned in vertical columns, each of said magnetostrictive elements comprising an individual core structure and an individual winding mounted thereon, cushioning material secured to the top and bottom of each core structure, top and bottom mounting plates secured to the cushioning material at the top and bottom of each core structure, and outer and inner locking lugs projecting upwardly from each upper mounting plate and downwardly from each bottom mounting plate and engaging in said outer and inner lockin openings in adjacent locking rings.

5. In a transducer of the class described, the combination oi a central supporting shell, a plurality of circular locking rings assembled over said shell in longitudinally spaced relation, keying means for preventing rotative movement between said rings and said shell, said rings having locking openings therein, rows of magnetostrictive elements arranged circularly around said shell between adjacent pairs of locking rings, the vertically spaced magnetostrictive elements of adjacent rows being aligned in vertical columns, each of said magnetostrictive elements comprising a U-shaped core disposed substantially radially of said shell with the closed end of the core facing outwardly, permanent magnets between the side legs of the cores, windings on said side legs between the permanent magnets and the closed ends of the cores, top and bottom mounting plates secured to the top and bottom sides |of each U- shaped core, and locking lugs projecting from said top and bottom mounting plates engaging in said locking openings of adjacent locking rings.

6. In a transducer of the class described, the combination of a central supporting shell, a plurality of circular locking rings assembled over said shell in longitudinally spaced relation, keying U-shaped core disposed substantially radially oi said shell with the closed end ofthe core facing y l1 outwardly, a winding on said core, strips of cushioning rubber secured to the top and bottom surfaces of said core, top and bottom mounting plate; secured to said top and bottom strips of rubber. and locking Ilugs projecting from said top g and bottom mounting pistes and 'engaging in said lock-ing openings of the adjacent locking rings.

CHARLES H. LANPHIER.

Bummel-:s crrlm The following references are of record in the me ofthis patent:

l2 f UNITED s'rA'rss PA'mNTs Number 2,405,605 xo. A

Number 

